The President of the Government announced an investment of about 11 million Euros in agricultural infrastructures in 2019, a nine percent increase over this year, which falls within the reduction of production costs incurred by farms as provided for in the regional strategy for the sector.
 
"In the context of the investment plan we are working on, we intend to invest about 11 million Euros in agricultural infrastructures, representing an increase of nine percent, towards the improvement of competitiveness and income by reducing costs," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke Monday at the solemn session celebrating the 75th anniversary of CALF - Faial Agricultural and Dairy Cooperative that took place in the village of Cedros. This organisation "is of decisive importance for the economic development of Faial Island, especially of its agricultural sector."
 
In his speech, the President of the Government stated that the aforementioned amount intends to increase the investment that has been made in access roads, water supply and electrification of farms in the Region.
 
In the specific case of Faial, Vasco Cordeiro mentioned some planned investments, such as the redevelopment of the reservoir of Praia do Norte, the expansion of the water supply network from Lombega (Capelo) to Ribeira do Cabo, the interventions in the Fligueira agricultural road located in the Cedros-Salão Agricultural Planning Perimeter (POA) and the resurfacing of three kilometres of forest and rural roads, among others.
 
At this solemn session, the President of the Government also stated that the challenges and opportunities of the regional agricultural sector must be overcome through partnership and joint efforts between all public and private entities working in this sector.
 
"No stakeholder in this sector can win by itself. We will only be able to win if there is a joint work of partnership that will allow us to achieve the best possible results," stressed the President of the Government.
 
According to him, there are challenges that can be overcome and opportunities that must be seized, as is the case of the new Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Canada (CETA). There are also opportunities within the European Union as far as it concerns the free movement of good for the supply of Azorean products to Community markets.
 
"While being aware of these challenges, we have a very clear notion that it is up to all to seize and transform them into opportunities that may strengthen our position," said Vasco Cordeiro. On the occasion, he reiterated that the main vector of affirmation at European level should be the creation of value, quality and differentiation of regional products.